Tablet recommendation

Author
Discussion

anxious_ant

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

78 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
quotequote all
I am looking for tablet with large screen (over 10”) which will be mostly used for web browsing in the bed. Besides the large screen long battery life is a plus.
Seen a few cheap 10”+ tablets out there but not too sure if they are any good.
iPads seems to be too frivolous for my needs (and expensive!)
Budget around £500 but would be great if it’s much less.
Would prefer something secure as I would be logging into bank accounts etc.
Any recommendations welcomed!

somouk

1,425 posts

197 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
quotequote all
iPads typically last longer than cheap tablets and are supported with security updates for longer. important if you are doing online banking etc.

Although the cost of entry is higher over the term it averages out. Consider apple refurb if you want to lower the entrance cost.

colin79666

1,808 posts

112 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
quotequote all
iPad. iPad Air is slightly lighter and bigger screen if you want to use all your budget but the standard iPad is pretty good anyway.

williaa68

1,527 posts

165 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
quotequote all
I have just bought a new bog standard iPad. With my daughters education discount it cost me exactly £300. It is excellent. All I will ever need.

anxious_ant

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

78 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
quotequote all
Looks ike iPad is a winner here smile Which I don't mind as I'm fully subsribed to the ecosystem.
Not had an iPad before so would appreciate some thoughts.
2021 9th gen iPad 64GB 10.2" is about £320 on Amazon.
2022 5th gen iPad Air 64GB 10.9" is £570, which to be honest is really breaking the budget.

Nothing wrong with the 9th gen iPad I presume?

Captain_Morgan

1,225 posts

58 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
For your use case no but it’s worth noting a couple of points.

The air in mk 5 has the much more powerful m1 processor.

And where possible buying from apple direct generally leads to better after care if there is a problem.

Have you checked out the apple refurbished shop, I’ve had things from there and they’ve been good as new.

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished/ipad/ipa...

anxious_ant

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

78 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
Captain_Morgan said:
For your use case no but it’s worth noting a couple of points.

The air in mk 5 has the much more powerful m1 processor.

And where possible buying from apple direct generally leads to better after care if there is a problem.

Have you checked out the apple refurbished shop, I’ve had things from there and they’ve been good as new.

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished/ipad/ipa...
Cheers for the link. I wasn’t aware there is an official
Apple refurbished shop. Will have a look.
It will be a bonus if there is an extended warranty for buying direct refurbed from Apple.

somouk

1,425 posts

197 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
I buy a lot of my apple stuff from the refurb shop and it has all been excellent.

Captain_Morgan

1,225 posts

58 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
anxious_ant said:
Cheers for the link. I wasn’t aware there is an official
Apple refurbished shop. Will have a look.
It will be a bonus if there is an extended warranty for buying direct refurbed from Apple.
Not any kind of official extended warranty, you get the same as new.

However there are plenty of reports of ‘good will’ actions for kit brought directly from Apple vs 3rd parties

deckster

9,630 posts

254 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
Second-hand iPads are excellent value and more than capable of a bit of web browsing. I use my iPad 6, bought from eBay for £160, to power my golf sim and also as a MIDI-keyboard-driven software synthesiser for the cover bands I play in and it works admirably at both.

Having been an Android tablet man for years, it does pain me to to say it but Apple really do have the tablet market sewn up with the iPad.

anxious_ant

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

78 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
Captain_Morgan said:
anxious_ant said:
Cheers for the link. I wasn’t aware there is an official
Apple refurbished shop. Will have a look.
It will be a bonus if there is an extended warranty for buying direct refurbed from Apple.
Not any kind of official extended warranty, you get the same as new.

However there are plenty of reports of ‘good will’ actions for kit brought directly from Apple vs 3rd parties
Yup, looks like there is a one year warranty which is good enough for me smile




anxious_ant

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

78 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
So I noticed the refurbushed iPads on Amazon is sold by Apple store. I am guessing this is a legit Apple store on Amazon?

Leaning towards Amazon purchase as there is an option to split to a few interest free payments.
If I do buy from Amazon, would I have the same 1 year warranty, new battery etc as I get if I buy via Apple Store directly?

bristolracer

5,527 posts

148 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
I bought a used one from CEX which came with a 2 year warranty
If you have any old tech lying about they will give trade in against it .

Turtle Shed

1,514 posts

25 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
I have an iPad Pro (latest/biggest version, £1000 or thereabouts) and, along with my regular PC, I have a Chromebook (Acer thing, £169.00).

The iPad is used by my wife for Procreate, and I use it for Simply Piano. For everything else I find the Chromebook to be streets ahead of the iPad in terms of day to day use.

I suppose if all you want to do is watch stuff then a tablet makes sense, but even then there's typing involved.

Personally I think everyone who is considering a tablet device should also give consideration to a Chromebook.

malks222

1,851 posts

138 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
just a heads up if you use ‘top cash back’ that they are offering 5% cash back on any purchases from the apple refurb store! decent saving/cash back if you are struggling with the man maths

tim0409

4,355 posts

158 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
Captain_Morgan said:
Not any kind of official extended warranty, you get the same as new.

However there are plenty of reports of ‘good will’ actions for kit brought directly from Apple vs 3rd parties
It’s not really “good will” though, it’s more about them recognising their legal obligations under the relevant legislation. The one year warranty they advertise (like a lot of companies) is arbitrary, and has very little to do with your consumer rights.

https://www.apple.com/uk/legal/statutory-warranty/...

anxious_ant

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

78 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
malks222 said:
just a heads up if you use ‘top cash back’ that they are offering 5% cash back on any purchases from the apple refurb store! decent saving/cash back if you are struggling with the man maths
Great tip! I do have a top cash back account. Time to do some serious man maths smile

anxious_ant

Original Poster:

2,626 posts

78 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
Turtle Shed said:
I have an iPad Pro (latest/biggest version, 1000 or thereabouts) and, along with my regular PC, I have a Chromebook (Acer thing, 169.00).

The iPad is used by my wife for Procreate, and I use it for Simply Piano. For everything else I find the Chromebook to be streets ahead of the iPad in terms of day to day use.

I suppose if all you want to do is watch stuff then a tablet makes sense, but even then there's typing involved.

Personally I think everyone who is considering a tablet device should also give consideration to a Chromebook.
Yes I did consider the Chromebook but decent ones are pretty pricey. Plus I already have laptop and want something with smaller footprint in bed. I do agree with the typing bit, but the iOS keyboard has this swipe feature which makes typing easier.

wyson

2,066 posts

103 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
If you are going to use it in bed, get a case with a stand that will work in portrait and landscape modes. One great advantage of a tablet is you can change the orientation to suit the content. A stand is also very useful for keeping both hands free.

colin79666

1,808 posts

112 months

Wednesday 25th May 2022
quotequote all
John Lewis give a 2 year warranty on iPads. That said iPads rarely break other than accidental damage. I manage about 350 of them at work and not one has ever broken other than smashed screens due to being dropped/dropped on which isn't a warranty job.